THE Ward family, from left, Adrian, Chrissie, Louise and Willie, received the Dermot Earley Family Award from Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns. Absent from photo: Nicola. PHOTO: SEB DALY | SPORTSFILE

Award for Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s Ward family

Published: Wed 4 Feb 2026, 10:29 AM

THE Wards from Kilkerrin-Clonberne were the recipients of the Dermot Earley Family Award at this year's Gradaim an Uachtaráin held at Croke Park on Friday evening.

These prestigious annual awards are made by GAA President Jarlath Burns to acknowledge individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the promotion of Gaelic games at club and county level.

The citation to honour the Wards read: “A family steeped in Gaelic games. That description is particularly apt when referring to the Wards from Kilkerrin-Clonberne.

“Dad Willie played with the club and wore the colours of Galway at junior level in 1990. He has coached numerous club teams and has been to the fore as manager with the Kilkerrin-Clonberne ladies teams who have won the last five AIB All-Ireland senior club titles.

“Starring on those teams were twin sisters Nicola, a TG4 Players' Player of the Year award winner in 2024, and a current three-time All-Star, and Louise, a 2019 All-Star and captain of the team that won the AIB All-Ireland senior club title last December.

“Nicola and Louise’s brother Adrian is also an accomplished player who continues to line out for the club’s Intermediate team. A winner of county titles at various grades, he is a fervent supporter of the exploits of his sisters.

“Mum Chrissie has also been hugely involved with the club, while also helping out on county underage management teams, and she has been club registrar for 10 years.

“Not a week goes by when this family are not in some way making a contribution to their local club and in turn, helping their local community.

“This is a family who are defined by their involvement in their local club and in playing Gaelic games – achieving excellence as players but also working tirelessly to ensure that the club remains the focal point of their home place.

“They are representative of many other families who do just that, build their lives and raise their children around the ebb and flow of the GAA season and the club that is at the heart of their community life.”